The closer we get to deadline day, the more weird and wonderful transfer deals get completed.
And when we say weird, we mean weird.
One Championship club are forking out £15m for a new striker, and that’s just one of the deals we’re focusing on today.
The (finally) done deal
Lucas Perez has been ‘close’ to an Arsenal move for some time, and now they’ve finally confirmed the arrival of the Deportivo striker.
Look, he’s even got his own hashtag and everything.
You're spot on @VintageBrady – and here's the man himself! #BienvenidoLucas pic.twitter.com/xOTMw00hLQ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 30, 2016
The birthday present
Brazilian Olympic star Gabriel Barbosa (or ‘Gabigol’ to his friends) turned 20 today.
What better way to celebrate than with a high-profile move to Manchester United Internazionale.
Che giornata speciale per te, @gabigol! 😃 Parabéns da tutti noi! 🎂🇧🇷 #WelcomeGabigol pic.twitter.com/lSJjSySSlF
— Inter (@Inter) August 30, 2016
The homecomings
After a whole 15 years away, former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky made the move back to his boyhood club Sparta Prague.
Legenda. #RosaJeZpět pic.twitter.com/d0UAbGZ5Ot
— AC Sparta Praha (@ACSparta_CZ) August 30, 2016
Closer to home, we had the Return of the Mapps. That’s right, Adrian Mariappa has rejoined Watford on a free transfer, prompting the Hornets social media team to do this…
It's official, #watfordfc fans! Adrian Mariappa is back! 👊🏻https://t.co/GwiJEEczQq
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 30, 2016
The treble swoop
After seemingly forgetting that you’re allowed to sign players during the summer, Hull’s transfer window kicked into gear.
First came goalkeeper David Marshall from Cardiff City…
🎥 | A message to @HullCity fans from our new signing David Marshall… 🐯#WelcomeDavid pic.twitter.com/6PUbyKyP0h
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 30, 2016
Then Ryan Mason, who joined from Tottenham for a club record fee.
🎥 | @RyanMason had this message for @HullCity fans after penning a three-year deal with the Club 🐯#WelcomeRyan pic.twitter.com/w87HEjrjon
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 30, 2016
And there was still time for signing number three, with promising Manchester United youngster arriving on a three-year deal.
🎥 | Will Keane can't wait to get started at @HullCity… 🐯#WelcomeWill pic.twitter.com/HbiZ1XmoIJ
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 30, 2016
The second-tier big-spenders
£23m on two strikers who are – it’s probably not unfair to say – at their level. This summer’s weird.
That’s Jonathan Kodjia, who joined Aston Villa from Bristol City for a fee that could rise to £15m.
Breaking news: We are delighted to announce the signing of Jonathan Kodjia from @bcfctweets. #WelcomeJonathan pic.twitter.com/CQwbWbyYlj
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 30, 2016
And that comes just a couple of days after Matej Vydra joined Derby County from Watford for just over half that amount.
BREAKING NEWS: #DCFC have completed the signing of @WatfordFC striker @vydra_92: https://t.co/Onus0OZ0LP 🐑 #dcfcfans pic.twitter.com/YhntLfyJ7L
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) August 27, 2016
The Brit abroad
It’s not a done deal at the time of writing, but Joe Hart’s loan move to Torino seems all but sealed.
The England goalkeeper was filmed holding aloft the Serie A club’s shirt to a crowd of awestruck fans, and we expect his move from Manchester City to be wrapped up any time now.
Welcome to #Torino , Joe Hart! #MCFC #SerieA pic.twitter.com/SNCJs6LRNl
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) August 30, 2016
Read more
